Page 41
Story: An Improbable Scheme (Courting the Unconventional #1)
Outside, Charles dismounted his horse and took a step closer to the coach. “Strother, listen to me. If you harm Elsbeth, there won’t be a place on this earth where you can hide. You’ll be hunted until your dying breath.”
Mr. Strother sneered but glanced nervously between the window and Elsbeth. He was cornered, and he knew it. His confidence was fraying.
Taking a deep breath, Niles dismounted as well. “Let her go, Strother,” he commanded. “You have nothing to gain by hurting her. Surrender now, and you might live to see another day.”
Mr. Strother’s grip faltered for the briefest moment, and Elsbeth seized the opportunity, knowing it was her only chance at saving herself.
Summoning all her strength, she lunged forward, grabbing his wrist and wrenching the pistol upward.
The weapon discharged with a deafening bang, the bullet lodging harmlessly in the roof of the coach.
“Elsbeth!” Niles shouted.
Mr. Strother shoved Elsbeth aside, scrambling to reload the pistol, but Niles reached the door and flung it open with a force that sent it slamming against the side of the coach. He grabbed Mr. Strother by his jacket and yanked him out, throwing him to the ground.
Charles and Alfred were quick to act, disarming Mr. Strother and pinning him to the dirt road. The once-arrogant man now looked small, his face pale and his eyes wide with fear.
Inside the coach, Elsbeth allowed herself to take deep breaths, knowing the nightmare was over. She felt a gentle hand on her arm and looked up to see Niles, his eyes searching hers.
“Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice soft but filled with urgency.
She shook her head, tears spilling over. “No, I’m all right,” she whispered. “You came for me.”
“Of course I did,” he said, his voice breaking slightly. “I will always come for you. You must know that.”
Niles helped her out of the coach, steadying her as her legs wobbled beneath her. Behind them, Charles and Alfred restrained Mr. Strother, binding his hands with a rope.
“It’s over,” Niles said, pulling her into a tight embrace. “You’re safe now.”
For the first time in days, Elsbeth allowed herself to believe it. She was safe; her home was in his arms.
As the afternoon sunlight cast golden streaks across the gardens, Niles led Elsbeth back towards the manor.
His thoughts churned with all the things he wanted to say, the emotions he could no longer suppress.
She had become the center of his world, and he knew he could not let another moment pass without speaking his heart.
He came to a stop, gently tugging her to pause as well. The manor loomed ahead, but they stood on the quiet path. Turning to face her, Niles took a deep breath. “May we speak for a moment?”
Elsbeth glanced ahead, where Alfred and Bedford were a few steps ahead of them. “I would like that.”
Alfred stopped and turned back, his expression a mixture of impatience and curiosity. “Say what needs to be said but make it quick. Meet us in the study afterward. ”
Bedford opened his mouth, as though to protest, but instead, he sighed and followed Alfred into the house, leaving Niles and Elsbeth standing in the stillness of the gardens.
Niles turned back to her, his eyes locking with hers. “We are finally alone.”
Elsbeth smiled, and he swore he had never seen anything more beautiful. “What is it you wish to say?”
Taking a step closer, Niles gently reached for her hand, clasping it. “I want to continue the conversation we started earlier. About marriage.”
“There’s no need anymore,” Elsbeth replied. “I am safe now that Mr. Strother has been handed over to the Bow Street Runner. The constable will see to his arrest.”
“I’m relieved that you’re safe,” Niles said, his tone earnest. “But that’s not the only reason I wish to marry you.” He stepped closer, his grip on her hand tightening slightly. “I want to marry you because I found a piece of my soul in your eyes and I don’t want it back.”
Elsbeth’s gaze dropped, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink. “That is kind, but?—”
“I love you,” Niles interrupted firmly. His voice carried a depth that startled even himself. “You may deny it, and knowing you, you will. But it won’t make it any less true. You’ve breathed life back into me, Elsbeth. You’ve shown me what it is to truly live.”
Her gaze lifted to meet his, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “What of my reputation?”
“I don’t care about your reputation,” he replied. “Not anymore. I only care about you. I just want you.”
“But—”
He cupped her cheek in his hand, speaking over her. “No more ‘buts.’ Nothing you say will change my mind. I am so hopelessly in love with you that I cannot imagine a future without you. ”
Elsbeth leaned into his hand, her lips trembling as she whispered, “Then my answer is yes.”
Relief and joy surged through Niles, and a wide smile spread across his face. “That was much easier than I expected,” he said with a laugh. “I had prepared an entire speech to convince you.”
“Perhaps you can save it for another time,” she teased. “Though I do have some concerns on your earlier attempt at being a highwayman. You didn’t even bother to steal anything from Mr. Strother. Not even a pocket watch.”
Niles chuckled. “It seems to have worked out regardless.”
“It did,” she agreed. “But only because you came to save me. Thank you.”
His finger caressed her cheek as he murmured, “I think it is only fair because you saved me from myself.”
Her eyes filled with tears, one escaping to trail down her cheek. “I love you, Niles,” she whispered, her voice breaking slightly.
Niles leaned in, his lips meeting hers in a kiss that was both tender and fierce, full of the promises he hadn’t yet spoken aloud. Her lips were soft, her touch grounding him in a way he had never experienced before. In that moment, he knew he would never tire of her, of this, of them.
When they finally broke apart, their breaths mingling, Niles said, “We should probably share the good news with your family.”
Elsbeth smiled mischievously. “We should, but I’d much rather kiss you a little longer.”
“As would I,” he replied with a grin, “but Bedford will likely come out and interrupt us again.”
She laughed. “True. Let’s tell them, and then we can plan for more uninterrupted kissing.”
“I find that plan quite agreeable,” he said, taking her hand once more as they resumed their walk towards the manor. “I suspect kissing you will be my favorite new pastime.”
Once they arrived at the manor, they headed into the study, where Elsbeth’s family was assembled.
Lady Isabella was the first to see them, and her face lit up. “Are congratulations in order?” she asked eagerly.
Elsbeth nodded. “Yes. Niles offered for me, and I accepted.”
Lady Isabella squealed with delight, rushing forward to embrace her daughter. “Oh, my darling, I am so incredibly happy for you both!”
Bedford stepped forward next, extending his hand towards Niles. “Shall we let bygones be bygones now that we’re about to be family?”
Niles shook his hand firmly. “I would like that.”
Lady Isabella’s gaze softened as she looked at her daughter. “I am so relieved you are safe, Elsbeth. Alfred told me how brave you were.”
“I was brave because I had no choice,” Elsbeth replied. Her gaze shifted to Niles, her voice softening. “And because I knew Niles would never let anything bad happen to me.”
Bedford cleared his throat. “Need I remind you that Alfred and I played a part in rescuing you as well?”
Elsbeth smiled warmly at him. “No, and I am grateful to you both. And I am sorry for ever doubting either of you. I was wrong to do so.”
Alfred spoke up from his place by the hearth. “What matters is that you’re safe, my dear. And that you have found happiness.”
“I have,” Elsbeth said, glancing at Niles. “More than I ever thought possible.”
Bedford tilted his head. “I am happy for you, Cousin.”
“Thank you,” Elsbeth acknowledged. She turned her attention to Alfred, her gaze unwavering.
“There’s something I need to say to you.
I owe you an apology. I’ve been so unfair to you since you married my mother.
I was angry and hurt, but I see now that the secrets you were keeping were only meant to protect me. ”
Alfred regarded her for a moment before tipping his head in a gesture of quiet acceptance. “You are forgiven,” he said simply, though there was a trace of warmth in his voice that hadn’t been there before.
Elsbeth continued. “Mr. Strother told me that he killed my father because he discovered he was embezzling from the estate. And he was behind all the attempts on my life. He wanted to kill me so my dowry would return back to the estate.”
A heavy silence filled the room as her words sank in. Finally, Bedford spoke. “I had no idea that Mr. Strother was capable of such deceit,” he admitted. “He fooled us all.”
Elsbeth turned to face her cousin. “Charles, I owe you an apology as well. I’m sorry for believing, even for a moment, that you were capable of anything so nefarious.”
Bedford stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I don’t fault you for that, Cousin,” he said, his tone kind. “We were all deceived by Mr. Strother’s manipulations. But if there’s one thing we must learn from this, it’s that we can’t allow secrets to ever come between us again.”
Alfred winced. “There is one more secret you need to know, Elsbeth,” he said, his voice heavy with regret.
Lady Isabella gasped, her hand flying to her chest. “No, Alfred. She isn’t ready for this.”
“I want to start anew with Elsbeth and have no more secrets between us. Not anymore,” Alfred said.
Lady Isabella stepped closer to her husband, her eyes pleading. “I don’t think this is wise. Some secrets are meant to stay buried.”
“I think Alfred is right,” Elsbeth interjected. “If we’re going to move forward, we need complete honesty. ”
“There must be another way,” Lady Isabella said. “There has to be.”
Alfred sighed. “There is no other way, my love. It’s time.”
Table of Contents
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